The hot pair, Surya and Shruti, were spotted at the sprawling lush green lawns of IIT, Chennai, one of the top educational institutions in the country.

Murugadoss was canning a few shots with the lead pair on the campus at midnight recently for his upcoming socio-fantasy flick '7aam Arivu'.

Produced by Udhayanidhi Stalin, sources reveal that Surya will be seen in a dual role, playing a contemporary character in one scene and another through flashback, in a previous birth.

A few scenes were also shot at the busy G.N. Chetty road in the city, but unlike the Ranganathan street episode where the actor was mobbed, this time around the filmmaker was careful enough to choose the wee hours for his shooting.

Surya's next venture after 7aam Arivu, Mattran, to be directed by KV Anand will kick start with its hoot from the 10th of April states reports.

Surya is currently located in Chennai for the song sequence shoot of AR Murugadoss's 7aam Arivu, which is said to be a costliest song in Tamil movie.

The movie's production is taken care by Kalpathi S Agoram, under the banner AGS Entertainment.

It is said that Surya will be playing Siamese twins in the movie. Siamese twin also called Conjoined twin, are identical twins whose bodies are joined. The film's music will be scored by Harris Jayaraj.

KV Anand is currently busy with the promotions of his upcoming film KO, while Surya will be finishing his world with 7aam Arivu and begins the shoot for Matran.

Even as a host of film stars busy campaigning for political parties they are in support of, a section of actors have asked voters to exercise their franchise without fail during the 13 April elections to Tamil Nadu Assembly.

Surya, Jayam’ Ravi, Karthi Sivakumar, Rohini, Suhasini Mani Ratnam and Vijay Antony are those from the tinsel town who are part of a short film produced by the Election Commission.

“The need to exercise one's franchise has been highlighted in the short film. It would be screened to the general public to create awareness. Former President Abdul Kalam, film personalities without any party affiliation have appeared in it,’ said Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Kumar on Friday.

Releasing the film in Chennai, he said the EC is committed to do everything to ensure free and fair polls and the media plays a major role in bringing people to the polling booths. “The film is as part of our awareness campaign,” he said

Surya has now set all his focus on ‘7am Arivu’. The actor has been taking scrutinizing efforts to make it the best of his career.He plays the role of a circus clown and another one as a Chinese martial arts expert before 2000 years in China.

The actor had to look fatigue and tired without food and continuous as a clown for a particular sequence in the movie. Merely for this scene, he remained without food and water and started looking pale. Even his father Siva Kumar started yelling at him in his house.

‘7am Arivu’ will have the audio launched in May while the movie release is scheduled in June.

The always-crowded Ranganathan Street at T Nagar became more crowded recently, when Suriya and director A R Murugadoss were there to shoot a song for their forthcoming venture ‘7am Arivu’.

“Since filming a song on Ranganathan Street is no easy task, we rehearshed the sequence many a time at AVM Studios for three days. Thanks to all, we managed to achieve what we conceived, on the busy street,” says Murugadoss.

It is said that the entire shot was completed in just 10 minutes and the unit immediately left the spot, as crowd started to swell to have a glimpse of Suriya. “Special permission was obtained earlier,” sources say.

Produced by Udhayanidhi Stalin on Red Giant Movies banner, ‘7am Arivu’, being made on a high budget, has Shruthi Haasan opposite Suriya. Music is by Harris Jayaraj. “All is well so far. The shoot is expected to get over soon,” add sources.

Surya is on the verge of completing ‘7am Arivu’, directed by A R Murugadoss. Once he comes out of the project, the actor would keep himself busy with two other films- one to be directed by K V Anand and the other by Hari.

“At present, I am committed to these three films only. Will sign other movies only one after one. Because quality is more important for me than quantity,” says Surya, who is confident about all these three movies.

“Murugadoss’s hard work needs no introduction while K V Anand is known for making stylish commercial entertainers. Hari, needless to say, is a name to reckon with in mass movies,” the actor says.

“So I am happy to work with these three directors,” he adds. This is not the first time for Surya to work with the above filmmakers, for he had done ‘Ghajini’ with Murugadoss, ‘Ayan’ with Anand and ‘Aaru’, ‘Vel’ and ‘Singam’ with Hari.

Actor Surya recently did a commercial advertisement Nescafe Sunrise Coffee with his actress-wife Jyothika. The advertisement, which is beamed on all regional television channels, has come out very well indeed, if the response by the general public and Jyothika’s ardent fans is any reflection.

The fans of the star-couple, which had sizzled earlier on-screen in films like ‘Perazhagan’, ‘Maayavi’ and ‘Sillunu Oru Kaadhal’, were only too happy to see their favourtie jodi back on screen. Surya, while commenting about the ad campaign he did with Jyothika, was lavish in his praise of his wife.

“Without an iota of doubt, Jyothika is a better actor than me. When the shoot was taking place in Mumbai recently, I tried frantically to keep pace with her,” says a smiling Surya. Giving an example of Jyothika’s commitment to her acting profession, Surya also revealed that she shed as many as 16 kilos to look good in the advertisement

“She had been planning for this comeback for a long time. As far as her comeback to big screen is concerned, she is waiting for that extra-tempting project, such as the one she did in Mozhi, to announce her comeback to films,” says Surya.

They greeted him with excited yells and a warm round of applause, but when he began speaking they were all ears, for they knew he was there to make a valuable point.

Actor Surya's presence at 'Cul De SAP', the cultural extravaganza hosted by the School of Architecture and Planning (SAP), Anna University, not only delighted students, but also sought to make them reflect on their health and lifestyles.

The student cultural festival morphed into a platform to spread awareness when actor Surya spoke on the need to pay adequate attention to one's health, particularly kidneys.

The actor is the goodwill ambassador of TANKER Foundation that supports underprivileged persons who are battling kidney ailments. He was addressing the students in connection with 'World Kidney Day' observed on Thursday.

Instantly striking a chord with the students, Surya said he knew the kind of hard work students of architecture had to put in. “Use your creativity and add to the beauty of this city,” he told students.

Highlighting the importance of creating awareness of kidney ailments, he said it was often a “silent killer.” “We really have to take care. Getting one's blood and urine tested regularly for kidney ailments is important. Also, drink plenty of water. Speak to your friends and relatives about it,” he said, adding that leading a stress-free life was also a key factor.

Integrating fitness into one's daily routine is the best way to ensure good overall health, he said. “Dedicating half an hour to 40 minutes to a sport or any other form of physical exercise will have a positive impact on heath.”

Pointing to the large percentage of youth in India, the actor said it was vital that they realised the value of good health, in order to make significant contributions to the nation's growth. “I never miss a chance to speak on health. Once, when I was travelling in Thailand, I was surprised to see an 80-year-old-woman playing silambam so actively. Everyone there, irrespective of age, is conscious of their fitness and tend to adopt suitable lifestyles. Similarly, it should become a habit for all of us,” he told The Hindu.

Persons over 35 years, leading very busy lives, should somehow try and find time for exercise and fitness, he added.

Speaking at the cultural festival earlier, Anna University vice-chancellor P.Mannar Jawahar said the students of architecture, with their creative and innovative minds, had helped the event grow significantly in its second edition itself.

An actress of dedication that she is, Jyothika lost about 16 kilos to get that ‘perfect look’ for a television commercial, for which she stood in front of the camera with husband Surya recently.

“No one insisted Jyothika to reduce weight for the advertisement. But she herself determined to do so and cut extra flab within weeks, thanks to rigorous workouts and diet regime,” circles close to the actress say.

Teasers of the television commercial, which were shot for a popular coffee brand, are already a hit among youngsters of Tamil Nadu. “This shows the popularity Surya and Jyothika,” they add.

It is to be noted that Surya recently said that he was persuading Jyothika to act again. “I am a big fan of her and I really miss her performance on screen. I will be happy if she takes up acting again,” he said.

Hardwork and dedication behind positioning himself as an actor who can cater to the taste of ‘class’ as well as ‘mass’ audiences, there is one more important thing which Surya has revealed now.

“I would never forget Rajini sir’s words. He told me one day that I was neither just a star nor an actor. ‘Surya, you are growing as a star-actor’, the Superstar said. These words created an impact in me,” he says.

“Rajini sir further said that people would expect more from me and that I should combine entertainment with performance. This is one of the important parameters I follow before signing a movie,” adds Surya.

On four of his family members ‘dominating’ the film industry, the actor said, “It was six years back Appa (Sivakumar) last stood in front of the camera and Jyothika too is not acting these days. Only me and Karthi are donning the greasepaint now. So there is no truth in the claim we are dominating Kollywood.”

Surya and Jyothika have been the most celebrated couple in Tamil film industry. It remained as an unfulfilled thirst for the fans as they wanted to see the couple together on screens. Well with the recent promos of Surya-Jo appearing together in satellite channels and print media, it created huge sensation in town, thereby increasing the levels of curiosities. Finally they are here to recreate magic with the ad campaign of brand new SUNRISE that will be aired on full version from March 12.

Much elated for the association with SUNRISE, Surya says that the new Sunrise coffee has a fantastic taste with rich aroma that makes your moment so fresh and invigorating. “With our performance in ad, I would like to make it clear that me and Jo didn’t act, but performed naturally as the emotions were genuine and natural” adds Surya.

Director Mani Ratnam has finalized his next project. He will be making the famous Kalki’s much loved Ponniyin Selvan. The cast for this film is also getting finalized. Vijay will play the important role of Vallavarayan Vandiyathevan, an impish young man whose adventures form the crux of the plot. Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu, fondly called the Prince is going to play Prince Aditha Karikalan, the troubled heir to the Chozha throne, thwarted in love and doomed to die young.

It is said that Vikram and Surya are in the running for the title character Ponniyin Selvan. Ponniyin Selvan is the title conferred on Arulmozhi Varman who becomes famous as Raja Raja Chozhan.

Mani Ratnam is set to achieve a casting coup of all sorts. The two stars Surya and Vikram will be ready give an arm or a leg for a chance to portray this remarkable character from our proud heritage.

KV Anand has come out of ‘Ko’ and is fully concentrating on his next directorial venture ‘Maatran’ which will start rolling in April. The film starring Surya has all in place to begin the shoot except the heroine.

There were reports saying that ‘Aadukalam’ Tapsee has been tested for the film and the director KV Anand will decide on her soon. But most recent news coming in says KV Anand is screening a few more heroines for the film.

Is he not happy with Tapsee? Sources close to the director reveal that Tapsee has been shortlisted and since Surya plays five different roles in ‘Maatran’ there is a need to look for more heroines.

Remember we already said the Lady Luck was smiling on Samantha and Kajal Agarwal also.

After a very long gap the highly adored celebrity couple Surya-Jyothika are making their appearance together in a commercial ad. The duo were last seen in Aircel commercial ad during Diwali season.

Later Jyothika joined hands with Surya for the promotional ad shoot of Agaram Foundation. Now, Surya and Jyothika will be endorsing for New Sunrise instant coffee mix and the TV commercial is said to be released on March 12th, 2011.

The commercial ad is directed by Amit Sharma, and produced by Prafull Sharma under Shrome Picture Productions banner. Photography has been done by Ronny Sequeria, art direction by Divya Saxena and music score is given by Sameeruddin

Harris Jayaraj and A.R. Murugadoss have made it clear of having the song in an unforeseen grand manner. With major talkie portions of ‘Ezham Arivu’ completed, one of the song sequence is yet to be shot as Harris Jayaraj is still working on the tunes.

Since, it’s going to be a big song; Harris has reportedly taken scrutinizing efforts to compose them. He is gonna start recording the song now as he says, “ Started recording a mega dance track for the film "Ezham Arivu" for which 1000 dancers have practiced to shake their legs.

‘Ezham Arivu’ is scheduled to have its audio launch by end of March and if everything goes well with arrangements, then Udhayanidhi Stalin may make it a point of getting the song performed live for the occasion.

* Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Best Actor - Nandha - 2002* Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Best Actor - Ghajini - 2005* Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Best Actor - Vaaranam Aayiram - 2008

Vijay Awards won by Surya

* Icon of the year - Rendered through the charity Agaram Foundation - 2007* Best Actor- Vaaranam Aayiram - 2008* Entertainer of the year - Ayan/Aadhavan - 2009* Icon of the year - Through the Charity Agaram Foundation - 2009* Vijay Award for Entertainer of the Year (2010) for Singam

Other Awards by Surya* Surya got 'Dinakaran Award' for Best New Face Actor for the fim Nerukku Ner in the year 1997.* In the year 2003 he got ITFA award for Best Actor for the film Kaakha Kaakha* He was bestowed with Kalaimamani Award in the year 2004.* Vaaranam Aayiram film during 2008 has entitled Surya as the Best Actor by Filmfans Award.* South Scope Award was bestowed on Surya as Style Icon of the Year - 2009.*CineMAA Award for Best Actor - Male (Tamil) for the film Maattrraan